In a world stuffed to the brim with interconnected cinematic universe content in pop culture, the DC Animated Universe remains one of the greatest efforts using this narrative device. Since Batman: The Animated Series, the titular Dark Knight has been a part of several memorable stories and given equally unforgettable dialogue.
As such, he's also had his fair share of the spotlight across the different DCAU shows and has delivered plenty of iconic lines in all of them. Several of these quotes do a great job at highlighting different facets that make Batman one of the best superheroes in general, let alone the DCAU.
Arguably His Most Iconic Line
"I Am Vengeance. I Am The Night. I Am Batman!"
Kevin Conroy's portrayal of Batman across mediums is still the favorite of many fans, even when compared to the best of the superhero's live-action appearances. And without a doubt, Conroy's most iconic and defiant quote came in the first season of Batman: The Animated Series. So much so that this line transcends the medium it was delivered in, as it's a great insight into how the Caped Crusader operates.
Despite being under the influence of Scarecrow's fear toxin, Batman eventually manages to break free of its control through sheer force of will. He overcomes the fear of disappointing his father and declares that he's the physical manifestation of Gotham's vengeance on crime. While there are others to don the mantle admirably like Dick Grayson, Bruce Wayne is the Batman.
With Batman's Age Comes Experience
"This Is How You Interrogate Someone."
Age doesn't inherently equal wisdom, but the elderly Bruce Wayne of the Batman Beyond days proved that he's picked up valuable skills as a hero and detective. He and Terry McGinnis/Batman travel to the future to thwart the time-traveling villain Chronos where they meet the younger, yet veteran Bruce Wayne/Batman.
While the younger Batman attempts to interrogate a henchman to gain information on Chronos, the elderly Bruce takes his target away from him and immediately gets him to confess. Bruce's genius being applied to criminology and detective work is one of the character's greatest - yet underrated - assets.
Respect & Admiration Beneath The Stoicism
"Gentlemen, It's Been An Honor."
Bruce admittedly has a problem of being too stoic, as he lets his fear of endangering people prevent him from being more personable. However, even beneath the thick guard that Batman covers himself with is a deep sense of friendship and admiration for his allies. In the Justice League animated series, Batman, the Flash, and Martian Manhunter find themselves desperate to prevent an invading army of Thanagarians.
The two are led to believe that they've managed to elude them with an escape pod, but the Dark Knight had no intention of escaping. Batman tricked them into boarding the only escape root so that he could crash the Watchtower on the army himself. What he thought was his final farewell was a great example of the care that he sometimes hides.
Batman's Friendship With Superman
"...I Had Nothing But Respect For You. I Hope You Knew - Know That. You Showed Me That Justice Doesn't Always Have To Come From The Darkness."
While certain circles fixate on pitting the two against each other, the dynamic with Superman is one of Batman's most important friendships in comics. Batman's aforementioned abrasiveness can be troublesome for his various relationships, but the admiration for Superman is also there.
Batman is dealing with an onslaught of villains, including Deadshot and Livewire, but stops to say a few words at Superman's memorial. He admits his mistake of not saying this when he should've but delivers a touching insight into Batman's humanity. They're a sort of "opposites attract" kind of situation, as even though Batman is brooding and Superman is cheerful, each brings something to the table that benefits the both of them.
He Always Comes Prepared
"Call It Insurance."
Part of the reason that Batman is one of DC's greatest superheroes is his mind for strategy. And while the "prep time" argument has become a trope within the fan base, it holds more than just a kernel of truth.
In Justice League, Hawkgirl asks the Caped Crusader if he always carries around kryptonite, with the latter responding that it's his insurance policy under extreme circumstances. He may be a super-powerless superhero, but Batman has time and again proven that his brain can more than just settle for compensating for the lack of metahuman brawn.
Batman's Friendship With Commissioner Gordon
"He's A Friend. More Than A Friend. Jim Gordon's The Same Age My Father Would Have Been If He Hadn't..."
Given the inherently brooding nature of the character's most acclaimed incarnations, Batman has delivered some iconic yet depressing dialogue. This heartfelt line about Commissioner Jim Gordon is on the bittersweet side, but another testament to Bruce's compassion when he isn't cold or self-deprecating.
A popular misconception about Batman is that he's a lone wolf, but while he does handle plenty on his own, he was never truly alone for long. Once he discovered that he needs friends and allies to succeed, Gordon was one of the first ones aside from Alfred.
Gratitude For Batman Beyond
"You've Honored The Reputation Of Batman Many Times Over And For That, I Thank You."
This quote by Bruce to Terry is simultaneously a representation of his greater judgment and his hard-headedness. In Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, Bruce tells him he wants the suit back despite the good he's done with it. Ultimately, he asks Terry this out of fear of putting him in even more grueling circumstances, but knowing Bruce, telling the young Batman that he's done the mantle incredible justice was certainly sincere.
His sentiments are genuine, and the pain of his Bat-family from the past is understandable, but it admittedly shows his stubbornness at believing that this is truly what Terry wants. Of course, Bruce would rightfully make way for him in the end.
Batman's Hero
"I Used To Watch You With My Father. The Gray Ghost Was My Hero. And He Still Is."
The deaths of Thomas and Martha Wayne were the major catalyst for forging Batman, but the episode of BTAS starring the Gray Ghost showed another important inspiration for Bruce.
The episode itself was wholesome and inspiring, with Batman helping the former TV star find the drive to live his life with optimism. Batman gives credit where credit is due, and he'll gladly build up those who've given him so much. This gesture becomes even more touching when considering that Kevin Conroy's Batman said this line to Adam West's Gray Ghost as a passing of the torch.
His Capacity For Empathy
"I Know What That's Like."
It's a simple line, but it resonates in magnitudes. A powerful young psychic has been lashing out with her powers after spending her life being used as a weapon. Ace is threatening to use those powers on a much wider scale, and Amanda Waller tasks Batman with infiltrating her conjured fortress to kill her. However, she's already dying, and Batman never had any intention to kill her.
Instead, the Dark Knight sits with Ace and comforts her until she passes. Though it reads like a shallow piece of dialogue on paper, coming from Batman (and the fact that Ace can read minds), it couldn't be more sincere. Batman wasn't there to kill her or even wax poetic about justice; he just wanted to do a young girl robbed of her childhood a kindness no one gave her.
The Symbol Of The Batman
"The Mission Always Continues, And Whether In Form Or In Spirit - There Must Always Be A Batman."
Bruce isn't as self-righteous as some may think, as he's demonstrated that he understands the importance of Batman beyond himself. This quote is the embodiment of that since Gotham - and the world - need the symbol that he provides.
He did an admirable job in crafting one that could simultaneously ward off those looking to prey on the innocent and serve as a beacon of hope for the fearful. Terry McGinnis is more proof that Bruce recognizes when someone more worthy is up next to carry the mantle.